GenerationsB

GenerationsB is an open-source framework and data repository designed to support the exploration of generational cohorts and intergenerational dynamics. It provides a modular toolkit and a public dataset library intended for researchers, educators, and policymakers to build, share, and analyze cohort-based data across time. The project aims to standardize the definitions and handling of generation-related variables—birth year ranges, life events, and behavioral indicators—to enable cross-study comparability and reproducibility.

Origin and development: GenerationsB originated in 2019 through collaboration between the GenBridge Foundation and academic partners. The first public release followed in 2020, with major updates in 2021 and 2023 that introduced privacy-preserving analytics, an expanded visualization suite, and broader data schemas. Governance is managed through an open-source model with community contributions and documentation to guide use and contribution.

Technology and data model: GenerationsB features a core engine written in TypeScript with a plugin-based architecture. The data model uses JSON-LD to describe cohort definitions, lifecycle events, and generational attributes, enabling flexible integration with various data stores. It includes in-browser visualization capabilities and supports notebook-style analysis through integrated environments.

Applications and reception: The framework has been applied in academic research on aging, workforce dynamics, and education, and has seen adoption by several universities and government bodies for policy simulations. Critiques emphasize potential privacy risks and the importance of bias mitigation and responsible interpretation in generational analyses.